March 21 (Reuters) - Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League so far this season with 13 goals, extended his contract by two years until 2016 on Thursday.With his career predominantly spent in the lower leagues, Lambert 31, joined Southampton in 2009 and has scored over 100 goals for the south-coast club.He helped secure successive promotions to the to...Full Story »

By Zoran MilosavljevicZAGREB, March 21 (Reuters) - Croatia coach Igor Stimac and Serbian counterpart Sinisa Mihajlovic have warned their players to refrain from dissent and tough tackling when the bitter Balkan rivals meet in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on Friday.Having described Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir as an outstanding official, but one happy to brandish yellow and red cards for any kind o...Full Story »

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger believes that Brendan Rodgers will bring success to the club if given enough time.The Reds saw their last chance of silverware this season ended by defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League last-32 and remain some way off the pace in the battle for Champions League qualification.However, the 28-year-old believes the Merseyside club is undergoing a period ...Full Story »

Napoli attacker Goran Pandev has backed Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's suggestions that the election for the Coach of the Year award was flawed.FIFA has since defended the integrity of the managerial honor, insisting the list of votes published by the world football's governing body is accurate, but Pandev has stressed that his vote as Macedonia captain was wrongly awarded to Spain boss Vicen...Full Story »

David Villa's return to something close to his best in recent weeks is good news for Spain as they prepare for their World Cup Group I qualifiers against Finland and France.The world and European champions' record marksman, with 53 goals in 86 appearances, broke his leg at the Club World Cup in December 2011 and struggled for goals and fitness after returning to action at the start of this seaso...Full Story »

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will remain at Anfield next season, according to the club's managing director Ian Ayre, who has dismissed quotes from the Uruguayan saying he would consider offers from Champions League clubs.According to British media reports, the 26-year-old, who is currently on international duty, said he was very happy at Anfield but if a club "with more prospects of competing i...Full Story »

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has dismissed Jose Mourinho's suggestions that the vote for FIFA's Coach of the Year award was rigged as "childish."The Real Madrid manager claimed earlier this week that certain people's votes in the elections were wrongly awarded to Del Bosque, a revelation that has since been denied by FIFA, but was backed by Macedonia skipper Goran Pandev on Thursday."The situat...Full Story »

Socceroos midfielder Brett Holman is hoping a strong showing in Australia's crunch World Cup qualifier against Oman next week will fire his bid to get back into the Aston Villa side for the climax of the Premier League season. The 28-year-old, who joined Villa on a four-year deal from AZ Alkmaar last year, will win his 59th cap if selected to play at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday. "It al...Full Story »

New Zealand's preparations for their crucial World Cup qualifier match against New Caledonia in Dunedin on Friday could not have been more riddled with sub-text. Former captain Ryan Nelsen, considered the stabilising force in the side, hastily retired in January to take up a coaching role at Major League Soccer's club Toronto FC. Then coach Ricki Herbert quit his club job with the A-League's W...Full Story »

Andrea Pirlo has lavished praise on Juventus coach Antonio Conte, believing the 43-year-old to be one of the best trainers around in the game. Conte guided the Bianconeri to their first title since 2002-03 in his first year at the club last term, and they again sit comfortably atop of the Serie A table and have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season, too. "He [Cont...Full Story »